What is Likert Scale?
A Likert scale is a common survey response format that asks people how much they agree or disagree (or how often/important) with a statement, usually on a 3–7 point scale. It’s used to measure attitudes, opinions and perceptions in a simple, comparable way.
A Likert scale presents a statement (an item) and a set of ordered response options that range from one extreme to another (for example: Strongly disagree → Strongly agree). Each option is given a numeric code for analysis. Typical formats are 5- or 7-point scales and can measure agreement, frequency, importance or satisfaction. Important design points: label every response option, keep direction consistent across items, and pair Likert items with clear, single ideas so respondents know exactly what they are rating. Statistically, responses are ordinal (they have an order), though researchers sometimes treat them as interval data for convenience — choose analysis methods that match your research goals.
Usage example
Question: I feel informed about local services.
Response options: 1 Strongly disagree | 2 Disagree | 3 Neither agree nor disagree | 4 Agree | 5 Strongly agree.
Practical application
Likert scales are easy for participants to understand and quick to answer, making them ideal for community surveys, feedback forms and consultations. They let you quantify attitudes and compare groups or track changes over time. For multilingual surveys, translate and review the item and each response anchor to preserve meaning; pair Likert items with an optional open-text question so respondents can explain unusual answers. Be aware of biases (central tendency, acquiescence) and design questions to minimise them (balanced wording, clear statements).
FAQ
How many points should a Likert scale have?
Five points is the most common balance between nuance and simplicity (including a neutral mid-point). Seven points allow finer distinction but can confuse some respondents. Choose based on how precise you need results to be and who your participants are.
Is a Likert scale the same as a Likert item?
Not exactly. A Likert item is a single statement with an ordered response scale. A Likert scale can also refer to a set of related Likert items combined to measure a broader attitude or construct.
Can I calculate averages from Likert responses?
You can compute means and standard deviations (commonly done), but remember responses are ordinal. For small samples or strictly ordinal assumptions, prefer medians and non-parametric tests; for large samples many researchers use means and t-tests or ANOVA with caution.
Should I include a neutral or "Don't know" option?
Include a neutral option if you expect genuinely undecided respondents. Offer a separate Don't know / Not applicable
choice when the question might not apply. Distinguish the two in analysis so neutral responses don’t mask missing or inapplicable data.